[AZ_Hiker]

well I went.. and all is well:)

I took some extra water all the way up there and it wasnt needed. the spring at the south end of the ranch is running so there was plenty of water. no apples to be found;(

the hike was harder then I thought is was gong to be. and it was much much much colder then I thought it was going to be. I like to have forze to death saturday. it was 35 and the wind was blowing at time I would guess at least 30mph+

now is the time to go if any of you plan to go this year. but plan for it to freeze over night.

[Shi]

Thanks for the report. I'm going this weekend!

[AZ_Hiker]

pick a spot where wind wont get you..

35 is cold but that with a 35+ mph wind I doubt many of us prepare for that ahead of time. I know I didnt.

if your walking north with the ranch about 1/2 mile ahead on the trail the creek will be on the right. this is just after you find the spring/creek and cross it for the 2nd time.. there is a camp site that is back aginst a hill/mountian. there was almost no wind there at night even tho there was wind all around us. is was a good spot and im glad we picked it because if we had been out in the meddows we would have been much colder. this site will be in the other side of the creek from the trail and if your heading north you will have backtrack a few hundred feet to the last creek crossing(which is the 2nd crossing you incounter when coming in from the south)to get there. lots of vary vary dead fire wood laying around. you may or may not like to build a fire but its nice to have the option if needed.

AZ_Hiker

[Shi]

In response to AZ_Hiker's reply: Thanks for the BETA, I have one more question, the trees that are there...will I be able to hang a hammock (trust me I don't intend on sleeping in it, I know it's too cold for that) because I think we will be arriving early and would like to hang out and do some reading or just plain dreaming! Thanks, Mary

[jwaltz]

In response to AZ_Hiker's reply:
Hi AZ_Hiker,
Which route did you take in, 109 South or 109 North? I’ve done the North, but never the South, and was wondering about the steepness, and difficulty.
Thanks!

[AK]

The south via Rogers Trough is pretty easy. From the trailhead to the intersection of the Reavis Trail 109 is mostly downhill. Once on the Reavis Trail it climbs out of Rogers Canyon to Reavis Saddle. Its a climb that ascends thru a lot of elevation but is all good trail and switchbacks. Once Reavis Saddle is reached its all gradual downhill to the ranch.

[jwaltz]

In response to AK's reply:
Thanks AK,
We're going the weekend of Nov 8. Expecting freezing temps at night.
How would you rate the uphill on the 109 S. switchbacks portion of the trail?
Thanks

[AK]

Well I'm not much on ratings but the uphill part was easy enough with a 50# pack on. Say maybe a 5 or 6 out of 10, but not as gradual as 109 from the north. Not to mention a good pair of trekking poles to help out!

[pfredricks]

fifty pound pack???? holy mackeral.
I think AZ hiker slipped his ax in your pack.

That is alot of weight.

[AZBrad123]

Hey Thanks everyone for the information on Reavis Ranch. This is a great resource for AZ. We are going up on the weekend of November 8th with a group of 8 or so.

I have one question, is there still wood up there for a fire?

Thanks in advance.
Brad.

[hikeaz]

50# pack explained...
see: http://www.frikoutdoors.com/images/fo265-copy.gif

[Daryl]

I took a friend to reavis ranch a few months ago and described that climb as "moderatly significant" before the hike.
You'll know you're climbing, but about the thime you're ready to be done climbing you get to the top.

[AK]

In response to pfredricks' reply:
Yea Yea I know! It was a bit of overkill on my part. It was the first backpacking overnighter I had been on. So naturally I brought everything but the kitchen sink. But now needless to say, i've come to my senses and left the keg and tap at home and travel quite a bit lighter.

[Wiz]

In response to jwaltz's reply:
JWALTZ! I've been looking for your @#$% mine for YEARS!

C'mon, c'mon, whereja hide it?

[AZ_Hiker]

AK has it right.. the first part is not hard at all.. for 1.5 miles is all down hill and cool because you have a little bit of everything there.. then its up hill for about 2 to 2.5 miles and its a hual. I would give it a 6.5 out of 10. but thats me Im new to hiking in az. from the top is super easy..

coming back its not tough at all the up hill part from the ranch to the summet is gentle but pace yourself becasue the last 1.5 miles is hard.. a lot harder then you remember form the day before:)

going in I think it took me aobut 4 hours that was with a long half hour break at the top. and 2 other 10 min breaks along the way.

coming back I think was about the same.. maybe im slow..

[AZ_Hiker]

In response to jwaltz's reply:

I went in from rodgers thought. so the south side. I think this is the best way because its a 6 mile hike, form the north its much further.

6 miles a day is as far as I can go and still enjoy myself.. I have done as much as 12 in one day but its not nearly as enjoyable.. for me that is:)

[Sredfield]

Reavis Ranch from the south was my first big day hike, did it with a club. Being a basic type "A" I stayed right on the leader's heals. As he was easily chatting with a bunch on the way up the switchbacks, I was sucking wind so hard there were atmospherical disturbances. That was some time ago and I'm in better shape now, last time in it was a piece o cake. All what you get used to.

[AZ_Hiker]

I dont know.. maybe im just slow..

when I read here that someone hikes somewhere in 3 hours, it takes me 4 or more. im not out of shape. but I do wonder if someday I hike with the fine folks here that I might slow them down.

I always get where im going but i just takes longer to get there is all. I have a scared lung and the lower half of my right lung feels like Im getting stabed if I breath to hard.. I can do it for a short time. After about 15 mins of heavy breathing, it just becomes to painful.

so my lungs work at 75% when I keep the breathing reps down.. if I push to hard, which I always do, then it gets really painful.

[joe bartels]

it would still become easier if you went more often
but who really cares go at whatever speed is enjoyable for you

I don't backpack but for hiking if I get two weeks out of routine it's like starting all over again. If you can't get a couple hikes in per week bicycling is a great alternative!

[Sredfield]

Amen, hike your own hike.

Maintaining is important, and as the birthdays come and go, it is more difficult to do. Just don't quit, as someone told me.

For me this is all heart and lungs. My feet and legs get sore but the limiting factor is carido. It's the heart and lungs on a r-r that set my pace, not the sore feet or legs. I work an hour of cardio into my gym routine, and after converting 20 minutes of that to a stair mill, things got better.

I'd get that lung checked out, if you haven't.

$.02